DAVID MARCUS: As Democrats protest in Dallas, conservatives are quiet and cautious
Beto O’Rourke‑Led Dallas Protest Draws 300 Anti‑Trump Demonstrators
Dallas, Texas – On Thursday afternoon, former Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke stood on the stage at Dallas City Hall and addressed a crowd of roughly 300 Democrats and socialists who were assembled to protest President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Protesters shouted slogans such as “Fighting Trump is saving America from fascism,” and a number of signs carried the words “MAGA = Fascist” and even a swastika.
At the entrance to the rally, a man held a sign that read “MAGA = Fascist,” complete with a swastika, a display that was described by one attendee as a “nice sentiment” in the overall theme of the protest. The demonstration featured speeches and songs that covered a range of topics from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal to data‑center controversies. A small counter‑protest was also present, but Dallas police kept the two groups separate.
“I can’t stand the man. You cannot be a Christian while following that man,” said Bonnie, a 60‑something activist who was speaking to reporters about her frustration with Trump’s support base. When asked why Trump provokes so much hate, she added, “If they allow him to do what he’s doing, they’re all in the same boat.” Bonnie also mentioned that she feels the same sentiment about other Republicans such as Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. John Thune of North Dakota.
Rick, a retired man in his 60s who also spoke at the event, held up a sign that read “Conservatives Against Trump.” He described his values as “small, limited government, a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility.” When questioned about the perceived leftward shift of the Democratic Party, Rick said, “Clearly, both parties, both major parties, have become polarized.”
During the rally, the theme of fascism was a prominent feature on many signs. When an interviewer asked a protester what the protesters meant by “fascism,” the response was brief: “If you don’t know then I can’t help you.”
Outside the rally, several Dallas residents expressed how the political climate forces them to keep quiet about their own views. One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that she avoids discussing her support for Trump at her son’s school and with friends. “I just don’t bring up that I support Trump. It’s just not worth it,” she said. She also noted that friends send out two sets of Christmas cards each year—one with a MAGA theme and one without—and she now receives the MAGA cards every holiday season.
A service‑industry worker described his own reluctance to admit his Trump support. “I can’t tell anyone at work that I like Trump. So when it comes up, I just say that I’m a Bill Maher‑style centrist.” He added that, for him, that is “as far to the right as I can publicly be without it causing problems.”
Interviews with other Dallas conservatives revealed a pattern of hesitation when discussing politics in public settings. One man mentioned that his friends keep two sets of Christmas cards, and another noted that people often keep quiet about their political affiliations to avoid conflict.
While the Dallas protest was a vocal demonstration against Trump and the GOP, the quieter voices of many Republicans in the city highlight an ongoing tension within the state’s electorate. Some local conservatives expressed concerns that the 2024 midterm elections could be influenced by the silent majority that may choose not to vote or to vote in a way that does not align with public displays of support for Trump. Whether these quiet voters will turn out in large numbers remains uncertain.